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PIRSA:15030066

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https://pirsa.org/15030066

Microlensing Takes Off: Toward the Galactic Distribution of Planets

Gould, A. (2015). Microlensing Takes Off: Toward the Galactic Distribution of Planets. Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics. https://pirsa.org/15030066

Andrew Gould Ohio State University

Talk numberPIRSA:15030066
DOI10.48660/15030066
Source RepositoryPIRSA
Collection
Talk Type Scientific Series
Subject

Abstract

After 50 years of dreaming about it, space-based microlensing observations are now underway.  A 2014 100-hr Spitzer Pilot Program generated "microlens parallaxes" for dozens of lenses, opening the prospect of measuring the Galactic distribution of planets.  This program will be expanded 8-fold in 2015.  Analogous observations by Kepler will measure the mass function of free-floating planets.

WFIRST microlensing observations will, as advertised, "complete the planetary census" but they will do an immense amount of astrophysics as well.  I discuss how microlensing's take off builds on rapid, ongoing, ground-based developments.